Alternative Energy Sources

Using the Alternative Energy Institute as a resource, we will examine each of the primary alternative power sources and explore the process through which they provide power, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and why each individual one can’t be “the answer” to all our problems. Only by utilizing all the power sources at our disposal can we make a dent in the world’s energy usage.

The Alternative Energy Institute’s Official Website

Blurb: The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) was formed in 1977 at West Texas State University, Texas, USA, as an outgrowth of wind energy research begun in 1970. AEI’s primary emphasis has been placed on wind energy, though certain research and education are also on solar energy. Recognized both nationally and internationally, AEI is proud to be the major information resource of wind energy for the State of Texas.

Biomass Energy

1. Biomass energy- organic matter that has energy from photosynthesis. Goes from plants to the animals who eat them, then their bodies and wastes can be converted through combustion, releasing the carbon dioxide.
   1. Most of the biomass fuels used come in the ford of wood products, dried vegetation, crop residues, and aquatic plants.
   2. Common, widely used- 15% of the world’s total energy supply
   3. Pros
      1. Low cost
      2. Indigenous nature
   4. Cons
      1. The process of producing the energy (farming and the actual production) actually can cause just as many emissions as it can conserve.
      2. Same for economic benefits
   5. Why it can’t be the answer
      1. The amount of energy that would be needed isn’t feasible at the national scale.
   6. What can we do?
      1. Use it to complement other renewable energy sources.

Wind Energy

1. Wind energy- Windmills can be erected to produce electricity- the wind turns the blades, which then spin a shaft that is connected to a generator that makes electricity.
   1. As of 2009, usage of wind power was growing by about 30 percent annually.
   2. Pros
      1. Affordable
      2. More available
      3. Pollution-free
      4. It provides more jobs in rural areas.
      5. Wind energy is renewable forever.
   3. Cons
      1. Many windmills are needed to produce a useful amount of energy, and building and maintaining a wind farm can be costly. Therefore, it’s fairly pricey to use wind energy.
         1. However, the more facilities that are built, the cheaper wind energy will be.
      2. The windmills also tend to cause many bird fatalities.
   4. Why it can’t be the answer
      1. At this point, it can only supplement other energy sources.

Solar Energy

1. Solar power is harnessed through an “off inverter, which converts direct current power from the solar cells to alternating current, which is what most home appliances run on.” A grid tie inverter allows the conversion and then feeds excess energy back to the electrical grid.
   1. The sun provides more energy in one day than our current population would use in 27 years.
   2. The idea of harnessing solar energy is a fairly new one- the first thermal solar collector was built in 1767, and photovoltaic power wasn’t explained until the early 1900’s.
2. Pros
   1. Close to unlimited
   2. non-polluting
   3. requires little maintenance and supervision
   4. can run for 20-30 years with low running costs
   5. No large-scale installation is required.
3. Cons
   1. Although the technology has certainly improved in terms of cost, it’s still more expensive than traditional energy sources.
      1. However, the equipment will eventually pay for itself in two to five years, depending on the amount of sunlight in the area.
   2. Solar power is, of course, dependent on the amount of sunlight received in a location, so sunless areas couldn’t benefit much from it.
4. Why it can’t be the answer
   1. It will not be as efficient in areas with less exposure to sunlight; however, solar power will still “remain an excellent energy option, long after the momentary fossil fuel model fades into smoke.”.

Geothermal Energy

1. Hot magma is extracted from deep within the ground, and facilities will pump them full of water and use the heated water to produce electricity.
2. Concentration of energy must be high to make the heat extraction feasible, and regions with well-developed systems have continuous heat flow.
   1. In Iceland, geothermal energy is use to heat 95% of all homes.
3. Pros
   1. Natural and plentiful
4. Cons
   1. It’s a non-renewable renewable.
      1. In California, there is a geothermal extraction facility called “The Geysers”. The steam was extracted faster than it could be naturally replaced, and is now estimated to be defunct within about fifty years.
   2. Fields of sufficient quality are rare and often in protected wilderness areas,
   3. Some produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide emissions, require the cooling of as much as 100,000 gallons of water per megawatt a day, and dispose of toxic wastes and dissolved solids, making them highly unsafe for the environment.
5. Why it can’t be the answer
   1. Our technology isn’t sufficient or economical enough for its widespread use, and Earth energy isn’t intense enough to produce power for the electrical grid- it can only reduce the draw from it.

Hydroelectric Power

1. The force of rushing water can turn a turbine to generate electricity.
2. Pros
   1. It responds quickly to fluctuations in demand- dam gates open and close on command, so there’s no waste and no shortage.
      1. It is the current leading source of renewable energy- 97% of all alternate power sources worldwide
3. Cons
   1. Because the best places are in mountainous areas, the topography poses danger to the dams and the land below
      1. Dam failures occur regularly, with terrible effects.
   2. The dams also remove water needed in a healthy in-stream ecosystem, harming wildlife in the rivers.
4. Why it can’t be the answer
   1. It’s highly controversial because of the negative impact is can have on our natural resources.